The City of Seattle will continue its commitment to food equity by investing more than $1.45 million in a diverse group of 23 community partners for 2026. These organizations deliver free meals, share traditional food knowledge, support elders and youth, grow fresh produce, and sustain local food organizations. This cycle maintains strong investment levels from previous years while preparing the launch of a Participatory Budgeting: Urban Farming grant in 2026, which will expand growing spaces, deepen neighborhood connections, and further strengthen Seattle’s food system.

“As we close out the year, I am proud that Seattle continues to invest in community organizations and projects that are building a more equitable and sustainable food system. This round of funding builds on momentum of previous cycles: sustained trusted partnerships, expanding youth leadership opportunities, and ensuring that every neighbor has access to fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant foods. Together, we are nourishing and strengthening communities in every corner of our city.”
–Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.

“Our community partners are doing remarkable work to nourish families, honor cultural food, and create spaces where people can thrive. This continued investment allows us to support their leadership while preparing the next phase of our food equity work. I am grateful for their commitment and the trust they have built in neighborhoods across Seattle.”
–Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Director Jenifer Chao

To prepare for the upcoming Participatory Budgeting: Urban Farming grant, the City will not run an open, competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Food Equity Fund (FEF) in 2026. Instead, next year’s cycle will renew contracts with selected partners and award funding to FEF alternates previously identified through a community review process. This approach ensures continuity for programs already serving community members while allowing time to design and launch the new Urban Farming grant process. We will provide regular updates and additional engagement opportunities as that process moves forward. The City anticipates returning to the RFP process for the 2027 Food Equity Fund cycle.

The Food Equity Fund was developed in 2021 in response to recommendations from the Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board to increase investments in community work led by those who experience the most food and health inequities: Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities, immigrants, refugees, low-income individuals, families with young children, youth, and elders. The fund is supported by the Sweetened Beverage Tax. 

Food Equity Fund grants support non-profit organizations and community groups with a non-profit fiscal sponsor. Projects supported by the fund must occur within Seattle, be accessible to and benefit those who live, learn, work and/or worship in Seattle, contribute to an equitable and sustainable local food system. In addition, the City is expanding the Starter Fund to $500,000 in 2026, which is nearly twice the 2025 level, to help small organizations begin or scale food access programs across Seattle.

To learn more about the Food Equity Fund and the Starter Fund, visit:
http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/programs-and-services/food-equity-fund-

2026 Food Equity Fund Awards

$65,000 to American Polynesian Organization 

$65,000 to Black Dollar Days Task Force’s Clean Greens Farm and Market 

$65,000 to Cambodian American Community Council of Washington (CACCWA)* 

$65,000 to City Fruit

$65,000 to Duwamish Tribal Services* 

$65,000 to Eat Happy Now*

$65,000 to Eritrean Association in Greater Seattle

$65,000 to Ethiopian Community in Seattle

$65,000 to FamilyWorks 

$65,000 to FEEST

$65,000 to Hip Hop is Green 

$65,000 to Kin On Health Care Center of Washington      

 $65,000 to Lake City Collective      

$65,000  to Nurturing Roots 

$65,000 to Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) 

$60,000 to African Community Housing & Development 

$60,000 to International Migrants Alliance (Washington Chapter) 

$60,000 to Mother Africa      

$60,000 to Rainier Beach Action Coalition              

$60,000 to Seattle Good Business Network 

$60,000 to Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB)

$60,000 to Tongan Community Food Pantry 

$60,000 to Villa Comunitaria     

*First time Food Equity Fund recipient